Palm Beach Surf Club leads by example with the release of a bold sustainability strategy

With a strong commitment to protecting the local community and environment from the impacts of climate change, Palm Beach Surf Club proudly stands as one of the first surf clubs in Queensland to consolidate its substantial environmental efforts into a comprehensive roadmap.

Palm Beach Surf Club Executive Manager Daragh Murphy emphasised the club's long-standing dedication to developing environmental best practice in the surf lifesaving movement.

“We’re big on sustainability around here and have demonstrated so time and time again, in partnership with local environmental groups, through initiatives including removing plastic straws, providing reusable cutlery and condiment containers, absence of vending machines, a repair over replace policy, compostable coffee cups and lids, partnerships with and support of not-for-profit environmental groups, and more.

“These efforts have led Palm Beach Surf Club to become the first surf club in Australia to earn the Surfrider Foundation’s ‘Ocean Friendly’ certification and gain membership with the Sports Environment Alliance,” Mr Murphy continued.

The club’s newly unveiled sustainability strategy, drafted in collaboration with Ms Larissa Rose, Director, Environment, GG Enviro, is broken down into specific goals that are aligned with priority United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). At its core, the strategy aims to minimise the club’s impact on climate change and its effects on the community, through mitigating energy, waste, and water usage.

Over the course of five years, the club aims to establish a ‘Green Team’, conduct waste and carbon audits, implement waste segregation systems, adopt sustainable procurement policies, install renewable energy sources, and promote sustainability initiatives. It further plans to set targets for energy, waste, and water reduction, explore battery energy storage solutions and expand waste management and material reuse plans.

Dale Scotcher, Palm Beach SLSC Supporters Club President, added that with the full support of the club’s committee, Palm Beach Surf Club further hopes to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, thereby establishing a foundation for long-term resilience.

“Our aim is for Palm Beach Surf Club to become a driver and example of change for local clubs and the wider community, and we hope to play a role in ensuring that the future of the Gold Coast is inclusive, equitable and sustainable,” he said.

Demonstrating its dedication to the new roadmap towards net-zero emissions, the club has already accomplished one of the key milestones outlined for the next five years.

“I am thrilled to announce that we have recently secured a new power purchasing agreement (CPPA), with electricity sourced 100 per cent from renewables. Additionally, we are currently finalising recommendations for the installation of solar panels,” Mr Murphy said.

Looking towards the next five years and beyond, Palm Beach Surf Club invites members, partners, and the wider community to support and participate in its sustainability efforts, as it strives to create a lasting, positive impact on the environment and promote a culture of sustainability in the industry and beyond.

A comprehensive copy of the Palm Beach Surf Club Sustainability Strategy 2024-2028 can be accessed HERE.